Coffee and donuts might be one of the most iconic American breakfast duos. Both can range from the basic – glazed donut and black coffee – to combinations that highlight culinary creativity. One city known for putting its spin on well-known classics is Portland, Oregon. The variety of coffee and donut shops is seemingly endless and has gained notoriety through brands like Voodoo Doughnuts and Stumptown Coffee which have expanded beyond Rip City’s limits. When we visited this last summer, it was only natural to go on our own hunt for the best coffee and donuts the city has to offer. We chatted with locals, consulted self-proclaimed coffee connoisseurs, and stumbled upon a few on our own to come up with the following list.

Coffee

Coava (​​1300 SE Grand Ave A)
According to the owner, “coava” is a reference to a Turkish word from the 1600s meaning “green coffee” or the unroasted coffee beans. It is meant to convey the importance of the quality of beans that they use in their purest form. Mission accomplished as our espresso was rich and creamy. Their focus on sustainable partnerships with their coffee producers makes this one we would return to the next time we are in Portland.

Deadstock (408 NW Couch Street)
​If coffee had a vibe, this would be it. Created out of love and appreciation for the sneakerhead community, Deadstock has carved a niche for itself that is truly unique. They roast their coffee and specialize in medium roasts. If you want an unconventional coffee shop brimming with creative energy and coffee to match, swing by and check it out.

Case Study (1422 NE Alberta St)
Born out of an espresso catering endeavor, Case Study coffee shop has nailed the quintessential neighborhood coffee shop feel in their brick-and-mortar spaces. This is the place where you want to curl up with your book, contemplate writing your next novel, or simply people-watch while enjoying a one-of-a-kind blend. They offer small-batch roasts that evolve with the season, so you can stick with a favorite or try something new.

Good Coffee (4747 SE Division St)
If you are going to declare yourself “good coffee”, it better live up to the hype. Fortunately, they have embraced everything there is about their namesake. They take pride in creating a coffee that they are excited to share with others. They are also committed to doing GOOD in their communities by donating a portion of the proceeds from two of their blends to support children’s education in Portland.

Donuts

Blue Star Donuts (1701 Jefferson St.)
​The quality of a product begins at the foundation. The foundation of these donuts is an 18-hour brioche dough. From there, they let their creativity do the rest. Flavors range from Blueberry Bourbon Basil (say what?!) to Razz-Pistachio Cheesecake. Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with any flavor and I would go back for the OG (Orxata Glaze) any day. Not that I needed another reason to love Blue Star Donuts, but it’s woman-founded and run by a female executive pastry chef.

Doe Donuts (4110 NE Sandy Blvd)
Many donut shops are adding vegan donuts to their menu, but Doe Donuts has gone all in and is completely vegan. If this is what vegan tastes like, sign me up! Not to mention the artistry that makes every donut Instagram-worthy. One of their year-round flavors, Portland Fog, should not be missed. I was a little skeptical about the Earl Grey tea glaze, but it was amazing! They also regularly donate to local nonprofit organizations that support their community. Insider Tip: If you arrive 30 minutes before closing, everything is BOGO.

Pip’s Original Donuts (4759 NE Fremont)
These little made-to-order dough balls are making quite the name for themselves. Paired with the small-batch chai tea, this is a slight deviation from the coffee and donuts theme, but it’s fun to mix things up a bit. The shop is small and the line is usually out the door, but you won’t be disappointed. My favorite part is that the small size makes it easy to “taste the menu” of all they have to offer. I will admit their seasonal raspberry was my favorite, but I’d happily enjoy a box of their Nutella and sea salt any day. I also love that they give their employees a little extra each paycheck for them to give to organizations or causes of their choosing to foster a “habit of generosity” – all the feels!